Chapter 359 : A Legacy of Jade and Pills

"We understand."

The assembly promptly rose to their feet, respectfully seeing off the departure of Magnus the Virtuous.

Thus concluded the Dao lecture by the True Lord [a title for a high-ranking immortal cultivator]. Before taking his leave, Verdant Spirit True Person smiled and said to Eldrin Chen, "Fellow Daoist, your talent is truly extraordinary to have earned praise from the Master. Your future prospects seem boundless indeed."

"You flatter me. It was merely the True Lord's graciousness,"

Eldrin Chen replied modestly before shifting the topic. "Fellow Daoist Qingling, now that the lecture has concluded, we shall not overstay our welcome."

"Very well. Our paths shall cross again in the future."

After bidding farewell to Verdant Spirit True Person, the five of them boarded the Green Sun Treasure Boat and set course for Ji Continent.

Along the way, they temporarily settled Qingci the Recluse and His Wife on Six Stars Island. With their presence there and Xavier Xu holding fort on Heaven's Ruin Island, the two locations could support each other, significantly enhancing their collective security within the Yan Kingdom region.

Having attended to this matter, Eldrin Chen and Lyra Jiang continued their flight back to the Chu Kingdom, eventually returning to the shores of Spirit Isle Lake.

Upon their return to Spirit Isle Lake, Lyra Jiang made a special trip to the Violet Abyss Sect to deliver the remaining one Creation Abyssal Pill [a rare and potent pill that aids in cultivation breakthroughs]. Continue your cultivation journey at audio–novel.com.

After completing all these tasks, the two of them finally managed to extricate themselves from their busyness.

Eldrin Chen also breathed a sigh of relief and then discussed with Lyra Jiang, saying, "For this single piece of Creation Treasure Jade [a miraculous jade containing the power of creation], I intend to use it first to help Old Granduncle mend his foundational cultivation."

"As for the Cloud-Returning Creation Pill [a supreme pill that aids in breaking through to the late Golden Core stage] you need for your breakthrough to the Golden Core, Late Stage, I plan to wait and purchase it when the Barter Convention [a grand gathering where cultivators trade rare treasures] opens in some time."

"I still have several decades before my breakthrough to the Golden Core, Late Stage, so there is no rush."

Lyra Jiang nodded in agreement. Refining the Cloud-Returning Creation Pill required one piece of Creation Treasure Jade and two Cloud-Returning Flower [a rare spiritual herb]. The cost for a single furnace batch was as high as fifteen million Spirit Stone [a mineral that stores and radiates spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]. With their current level of Alchemy [the art of refining spiritual pills], they could at most produce two pills per batch.

This was a money-losing venture. Now that her Alchemy had already broken through, she no longer needed to use this method to elevate her Alchemy skill. It was better to simply purchase the pills directly at the Barter Convention.

"The list of items we need to buy at the next Barter Convention is still quite extensive."

Eldrin Chen said with a smile. The next Barter Convention was still over a decade away. By then, they would also need to procure some Heavenly Heart Herb [a spiritual herb that calms the mind and spirit] to refine the Inner Core [the condensed energy core of a powerful demonic beast] of the Earth Lion Demon King into Golden Core Formation Pill [a precious pill that aids in forming a Golden Core].

Furthermore, they also wanted to see if they could purchase some Void Treasure Crystal [a rare crystal attuned to spatial energies], and now they had added the Cloud-Returning Creation Pill to their list.

Having decided on the use for this piece of Creation Treasure Jade, Eldrin Chen directly departed from Spirit Isle Lake.

His speed was extraordinary. Utilizing the Teleportation Formation to reach Green Sun Mountain first saved him considerable effort, and by the third day, he had already arrived at the Firmament Sword Sect.

The current sect master of the Firmament Sword Sect is Qian the True Person. This Qian the True Person is now six hundred and fifty years old, yet his cultivation has stalled at the Golden Core, 5th Tier. It is likely that his lifespan will be exhausted before he can even reach the Golden Core Great Perfection.

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen's arrival, Qian the True Person promptly welcomed him to the Guest-Welcoming Peak, saying with utmost courtesy, "A distinguished guest graces our doors today. This old man failed to greet you from afar—a grave oversight, a grave oversight indeed."

"Why must the True Person humble this Chen so?"

Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered as he feigned seriousness.

Qian the True Person let out a hearty laugh. As old acquaintances of many years, there was no need for excessive formality between them.

He personally poured a cup of tea for Eldrin Chen before asking, "You are a rare visitor, Fellow Daoist. Coming to my Firmament Mountain today, you likely did not come just to see this old man."

"To speak frankly, I do have a matter to attend to today."

"Oh?" Qian the True Person paused his movements, quietly awaiting Eldrin Chen's next words.

Eldrin Chen nodded and then said, "My purpose here is twofold. First, it concerns the Metal Essence Treasure Pearl within your sect's Fourth Rank Metal Essence Earth Vein."

"Secondly, I wish to borrow your Sword-Cleansing Pool [a special pool used to purify and refine spiritual swords]."

Qian the True Person [a cultivator who has attained the Golden Core realm] blinked, his eyes flickering as he grasped Eldrin Chen's intent.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "We currently have one Metal Essence Treasure Pearl [a treasure pearl containing concentrated metallic spiritual essence] in our reserves. However, the Metallic Essence Spirit Liquid [a liquid refined from metallic spiritual essence] within the Sword-Cleansing Pool of our Metal Vein [a spiritual vein rich in metallic energy] is scarce. Generally, we do not sell it to outsiders."

"For the Metal Essence Treasure Pearl, I am willing to exchange one Earth Essence Treasure Pearl [a treasure pearl containing concentrated earthly spiritual essence] and supplement it with fifty thousand Spirit Stone [minerals that store and radiate spiritual energy, used as currency and for cultivation]."

"As for the Metallic Essence Spirit Liquid in the Sword-Cleansing Pool..."

Eldrin Chen paused, lifting his teacup to deliberate for a moment before stating, "Allow me to cleanse and refine the Heavenly Separated Twin Swords [a pair of immortal swords] within it. In exchange, I offer two Fourth Rank [a grade designation for spiritual objects, equivalent to the Golden Core realm] Spirit Apricot [a spiritual fruit from the apricot tree]. What say you?" Continue your cultivation journey at audio_novel.com.

"Longevity Spirit Apricot [a spiritual apricot that can extend one's lifespan]?"

Qian the True Person's eyes widened. Seeing Eldrin Chen nod, a look of pleasant surprise spread across his face.

A Fourth Rank Longevity Spirit Apricot was a treasure of immense value, exceedingly precious even to a Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the core of their spiritual power]. He was already six hundred and fifty years old, and his hopes of breaking through to the Nascent Soul [the spiritual infant stage, a higher realm of cultivation] were slim. It was high time he made preparations for his remaining years.

At this thought, a smile touched his lips. "The Metallic Essence Spirit Liquid within the Sword-Cleansing Pool of my Firmament Mountain [a majestic mountain peak] possesses extraordinary and wondrous properties. Cleansing your Heavenly Separated Twin Swords in this pool will undoubtedly enhance their might by another thirty percent."

"Let us hope so."

Seeing his agreement, Eldrin Chen smiled and completed the transaction.

He did not rush to cleanse the immortal sword. Instead, he returned to Pingyang City with the Metal Essence Treasure Pearl. Upon entering the city, he immediately noticed Lior Chen walking out, his expression downcast.

His eyes flickered slightly, and he inquired, "Uncle Lior, has something happened?"

"You have returned."

Lior Chen sighed, seemingly unwilling to elaborate. After a brief greeting, he departed.

Watching his retreating figure, Eldrin Chen's brow furrowed slightly. He then stepped into the Pingyang Grand Hall.

Inside the grand hall, the Old Patriarch, seeing his return, began preparing tea for him as was customary. "You left again so soon after coming back this time, without even catching your breath," he remarked.

"It was not far. It caused no delay."

As he spoke, Eldrin Chen recounted his experiences of the past few years to the Old Patriarch.

After speaking, he smiled faintly and retrieved the Fire Essence Treasure Pearl [a treasure pearl containing the concentrated essence of fire], the Metal Essence Treasure Pearl [a treasure pearl containing the concentrated essence of metal], and the Creation Treasure Jade [a piece of jade imbued with the power of creation].

Handing these three treasures to the Old Patriarch, Eldrin Chen said, "My journey to the Firmament Sword Sect [a renowned sword cultivation sect] was precisely for this Metal Essence Treasure Pearl."

"This..."

Gazing at the three treasures before him, the Old Patriarch revealed a look of pleasant surprise.

He caressed the treasures with great affection, his voice tinged with excitement as he said, "With these three treasures, I can sufficiently mend my foundational flaws and forge a Middle Golden Core [a core of solid, balanced quality]. In the future, there may truly be a chance for me to break through to the Nascent Soul [the realm where one's spiritual essence forms an independent soul entity]."

"Hahaha!" Eldrin Chen laughed heartily. "If you cultivate diligently, Old Granduncle, you will surely achieve the status of a Nascent Soul True Lord [a venerable title for a powerful Nascent Soul realm cultivator] and reign supreme across the Eastern Wastelands [a vast and perilous wilderness region]."

Chen Thalion carefully stored the three treasures, then grasped Eldrin's hand firmly, nodding with deep sincerity.

"You have supported me countless times over these years. I swear I will not let your efforts be in vain."

"Between us, it has always been about mutual support. There's no need to keep such a precise account."

Eldrin Chen smiled, then, recalling Lior Chen's demeanor from earlier, he paused thoughtfully. "Just now, I noticed Uncle Lior seemed rather despondent. Has something happened?"

"Lior... Alas!"

Old Patriarch let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head as he spoke. "Your younger brother, Nian Dao Chen, recently failed in his attempt at Self-Guided Foundation Establishment [the perilous process of establishing one's cultivation foundation without external aid]. He has passed away in meditation."

"Nian Dao?"

Eldrin Chen's pupils contracted slightly, a cold weight settling in the pit of his stomach. Join our community of readers at audio~novel.com.